Trevi Fountain coins – where does the money go? 

We were all standing ready to throw coins in the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy, when one of my kids ask, “Where do all the coins go?” Great question but I had no idea. So it was time to do some research to solve the Trevi Fountain coin mystery.

The Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous fountains in the world and legend has it, if you throw a coin into Trevi Fountain using your right hand over your left shoulder, you will return to Rome.

Each day, around €3,000 (Euro) is thrown into the fountain by tourists. If you add that up, it comes to a staggering €1.09 million a year! That’s a lot of money!

What many people don’t know is every night, the fountain stops flowing for one hour, while workers sweep the money from the basin.

But where does the money go? The great news is it goes to Caritas, a Catholic charity who use it to support poor people of all faiths through humanitarian relief and development programs. Even more of a reason to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain next time you’re in Rome.

I threw a coin in on my visit in 1998 and came back to Italy in 2016. It might have taken me a while but the tradition is a fun way to build hope that you’ll come back again. Hopefully, the legend will prove true for us once more and we will return to the city a third time one day soon.

Now it’s your turn to throw coins in the Trevi Fountain!

Wondering what else you can do on your Italy family vacation?  Take a look at our recommendations and tips.

Where we stayed in Rome Italy (just near the Trevi Fountain)

Best things to do in Rome with your kids

Day tripping to Manarola, Cinque Terre

How to see Rome without the crowds – this includes the Trevi Fountain

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